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Friday, March 27, 2009

Marche Aux Puce

Last Sunday I went to the Marche Aux Puce!

There are around 15 different markets within the Puce... I made it to 2 in 2 hours. This one is Marche Vernison... There is so much stuff...To look at and admire... I spotted this chest... And fell victim to this little Paris Par Arrondissements book from 1946. I had no plans to buy anything bien sur, but for 10 Euros and it's full of MAPS!!! Excuses...excuses. Aren't we great at them when called for? Another sign warning guest doggies to FAITE ATTENTION (pay attention) This is a resident hound and he knows the rules. He's guarding his master's stand while he gets a coffee...I guess Here's a map of the other marche I went into, Dauphine. It's huge. So many things...

To look at...I did spot a few wonderful old architectural prints of some French facades, but stupidly I got out my camera in an obvious way and the vendeuse came flying at me.

Arrête ! Arrête ! (STOP!)

and ALLEZ! (GO AWAY!)

HUMPH

There are posh places too at the puce, but they not for me.I left around noon to go to lunch at...

Rose Bakery, my favorite place to eat in Paris. This is the newish branch in the Marais at 30, rue Debelleyme 75003.

The food is Brit and organic and healthy. And the place is always packed with Parisiens. Go at opening time or you'll stand in line for an hour!

Dejeuner :)

Later I wandered over to the Musee Beaubourge. There are always performers.

Inside...And then to one of my favorite patisseries, Pain du Sucre.

These chocolate hippos and elephants are in the outdoor case everyone is gazing at - they are special for Easter (Pacques)

Easter elephants ? ? ?

There's a good reason this place is called Pain, because the decision-making process is pure torture. I ended up getting (again) their divine caramel macarons (2).

Please help yourself to one of these marshmallow-filled chocolate lollie bears (nounours)

Beautiful photos!I am going to Paris in May and wanted to take photos of many of the same types of things that you have.Do you have to shoot surreptitiously all the time or are you pretty obvious with your camera?Do you have any advice for shooting in stores/store windows?Thanks!Jayme

My fave Puce story is the time I went with my friend Lynn, a lawyer living in London and plenty of $. We're wandering around and she spots a complete set of china that she wants me to bargain the price down for her. So I do and everyone is happy. Then she wants me to tell the mec that she needs it all packed up and sent to London. He, of course, is not equipped to do any such thing. But he did pack it up and drive it to her office in Paris, which then shiped it to her house in Kiawah!

I stumbled upon your Flickr site, and then your blog, and spent about 45 minutes entrenched in all of the sweetness of Paris and your watercolors! It was fabulous. Thank you for the fantasies away from my normal morning routine. :-)

One question I have: I saw repeatedly that you almost got into trouble taking photos at the shops (or was it at the marches?) in Paris. As a professional photographer, I would not want to visit Paris without my camera at my side!! So, I'm curious WHY they don't like pictures, and if you have any tips for "sneaking" photos. Your images and watercolors make me want to go there. And I must say that even though I lived in Europe for several years (Belgium), I have avoided Paris (because EVERYBODY goes there, and I'm not everybody). :-) But that's a stupid reason not to go (I'm a lot older and wiser now), and I was absolutely enthralled with Paris for the very first time, through your blog. Thank you for singlehandedly changing my mind about an obviously wonderful place!

Your food, blogs, watercolors, and treasures are simply divine. Thank you thank you thank you for sharing!

So glad you were able to find a suitable excuse. And remember, ma chere, should you ever fail to come up with the requisite excuse, I AM YOUR MAN (in the form of a woman!). Truly, I am the great rationalizer...from Cafe Mocha for breakfast to another painting book!

Bonjour! I love reading your blog, and I love that you update very regularly cos I can't ever get enough! Well done on your fantastic efforts for all of us 'couch travellers' out there!I'm currently learning French and I have a completely random question for you, if you know the answer. Do the Frenchies still say "sacre bleu!" or is it hideously outdated and comical to do so!!! ??? Just wondered if you've ever come across it in your Pareeeee travels... :)

Oh, now I would LOVE to have spent time browsing through those flea markets, Carol. I saw lots of little things I'd have had to take home for reminders of a wonderful trip. Sigh. Glad you sound like you had fun. I'm jealous.

I followed you one day and I know what you can cover... and I know about the hundreds or thousands of photos you are taking... but I'm really admiring that you can do this one day after the other ... and to post!! The energy is not missing!

I am really enjoying your daily posts from Paris. I will bethere next month--will be following more or less in yourfootsteps. :-)I thought you might enjoy these pics of Pierre Herme and hisapartment:http://www.theselby.com/10_15_08_pierre_herme/index.html

The dog is so cute, and all the photos so typical ... Congratulations for your lovely blog ! You seem to be a lover of our French institution, the Marché aux Puces !Kind regards from ... Paris !PS. In French, "Arrête !" is written this way :o)

I enjoy this market so much! Seems that there is never enough time!I love all your photos, brings back so many great memories! I can't wait to get back to Paris~actually will be there this Saturday. Will be looking for you and your camera!

I have been reading your blog for quite some time now, and finally felt it was time to leave a comment to let you know how much I enjoy seeing Paris through you. I have been enchanted with all things French for years. I am a collage artist and always looking for sources french papers and small items for my art. Thank you for what you do. Tammie

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♥carol gillott♥

Paris, Ile de France, France

I moved to Paris 2 years ago. I should have done it sooner but that's how the macaron crumbles. Living on the Ile Saint Louis next to the Seine after the 19eme is 'la cerise sur la gâteau'. It doesn't get any better. I've painted watercolors for Bocuse, Champagne Mumm, Guerlain, Frederick Cassel, The Russian Tearoom and the Maharana of Udaipur.
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